Credit: Anne-Marie, FOD
October 13, 2009
Dear Diary,
I remember my great anticipation while waiting to hear David Archuleta’s debut CD. Snippets be danged, I was determined to wait until the day I had the disc in my hand and could play it in its entirety.
Afterwards, however, I actually went back and listened to them to see, if indeed, I had missed something. I wasn’t disappointed that I had waited. They were after all, just snippets — they were incomplete and left you hanging….
So, it was not hard for me to do the same with Christmas from the Heart – and not listen to the snippets. My anticipation, however, has increased exponentially ….
Quite fitting then, that now at 4:30 a.m., as I download CFTH on iTunes, the snow is falling gently to the ground in big light fluffy flakes. I listen on my headphones so as not to wake up my household. I really listen to the words as David sings each song, then again and notice the accompaniments – the piano, the strings, the flute, the guitar, the orchestra as a whole and I am stung by tears when I get to What Child Is This.
It is now 6:45 a.m. and, as I let my dog out, I also find myself outside – in my housecoat and holey plastic garden ‘shoes’ – sweeping the inch or so of snow that has fallen. Brandy comes running at the sound for she loves to jump at the snow as I propel it in the air. She is exuberant. I feel a joyous peacefulness settle over me and can’t help but grin. What a glorious feeling it is to be alive at this very moment in time.
I am amazed at my reaction. No meltdown. Perhaps it will occur after I have listened to the two final tracks – have I saved the best for last? Certainly David’s previous O Holy Night renditions have brought me to tears and Ave Maria, well this one is just my most favorite. I will listen — later. For now, I will bask in the wonderful calm that has settled upon me.
October 15, 2009, a.m.
Sunshine called the CD a “tapestry.” I concur, the weaving together of many threads to make a whole, with a commonality connecting them. Each song having varying threads of David’s unique vocal nuance, inflection, dynamics , accent and phrasing, tied together by his emotional reverence.
October 16, 2009, p.m.
O Holy Night, sung – this time – with the more traditional orchestration, is yet another version that will take over my senses and carry me away to a very special place upon each listening.
October 17, 2009
I have just listened to Ave Maria for the first time. Not understanding the words made me pay closer attention to and be more attuned to the pure emotion in David’s voice. The tears stream down my face in honour.
P.S. Gorgeous Pat-a-Pan video from vidwhiz Angelica!
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 
Awestruck,
I could practically feel the soft icy brush of snowflakes as I read your post. Thank you for sharing your first experience of listening to the CD.
“What a glorious feeling to be alive at this moment in time” indeed!
from yjfanofdavid (end of previous thread):
Just Marly: “Trying for every opportunity to drive my kids too and fro so that I can listen to David’s voice in private whilst driving in my car.”
I can relate! I have a long commute to work and I used to hate my commute. Well, I found out my commute is exactly the length of CFTH, from the first note of Joy to the World to the last note of The Melodies of Christmas. Well, more or less, depending on the traffic lights.
Now, going to work and driving home is something I look forward to everyday. Also, the road I take to work is a country road/scenic route, through an Amish community.
The Amish buggies often share the road with the motorists. I can just imagine, comes winter, I get to watch the buggies with beautiful Amish children inside going by while snow is falling, with CFTH providing the sound track for this beautiful scene.
Life cannot be better! 🙂
Awestruck – you paint a beautiful picture with your words.
Am glad I am not alone in my love for OHN. I gather there are quite a few people thinking the symphony is too loud. I just think it builds as it should. It’s glorious.
As for Ave Maria – I can’t stop listening to it. Not just David’s voice – the music is to die for, especially when the piano starts in.
The songs on this cd are in my head, and it seems they are there to stay for awhile.
Here is my one criticism of the cd:
I don’t care for the green print over red background on seventh page if the cd cover/insert thingie!
LOL, Betsy!
When djxox provided that short-lived link to the full songs online, the first one I picked to listen to was OHN. It’s always been my favourite to sing and I hold it dear to my heart so I was a little nervous before I clicked “play.”
What I didn’t expect was its emotional impact. It hit me like a freight train. (Should have known better … it is David’s Voice, we’re talking about.)
I was at the office (bad move), but I barely held it together till the end and then had to literally run to the ladies’ room and bawl my eyes out.
It’s one of my absolute favourites on the CD.
The only track I’m not big on is the duet … but it’s the #1 seller on iTunes, so what do I know?
ditto on the duet.
bahahahahahaha … and yet, beautiful….
thaks Betsy – all versions of David’s OHN, when he was 12-13 years old?, the tree lighting from last year and now this one on the CD are all unique and I will continue to enjoy listening to them the first two, but this one – with the orchestra – makes my heart do an extra pitter patter. I don’t like the red print on green background either! I knew I should have gotten bifocals last time I got glasses – maybe it would have helped?!?
TOfan and Betsy – as for the duet I think it would be much better live… but one of my least favorites. I don’t know why, but I have never really been fond of IBHFC. I have to admit David’s jazzy? version is better than most other renditions.
Awestruck, I find David’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas especially poignant considering how much time he’s spent on the road this past year.
I love jazz, so the arrangement def. won me over. I also liked that he “fixed” a lyric that has always bugged me.
It’s often sung as “… snow and mistletoe and presents ON the tree…” — huh? His “… presents ‘neath the tree” made me smile big time!
Awestruck, it’s so fitting that you listened to the CD at 4.30am – a time of day (night) when you can hear your own heartbeat and the world is completely still.
I listened to the CD for the first time today where there were no distractions – from start to finish. Afterward, I went to visit my Dad who passed away six years ago. Christmas was his favourite time of year. David wanted to make us ‘feel’ with this CD. Mission accomplished.
{{{Sunshine}}}
Your words reminded me of a comment I read on MCL’s site (from Jean):
“I think this is a CD that needs to be listened to without distractions so you can be lifted to the place where David is taking us.” ❤
I find, also, that with some of the songs on his debut album I also need to be able to really concentrate… listen to the words… let David make me feel the message he is singing (Desparate, Falling, WFM). I agree with Jean TOfan especially for CFTH
Hugs Sunshine
awestruck,
Lovely writing on your experience with the new album. What a gift he has given us. One that can be savored for a long time. I actually love snippets. I knew from the first CD, just from the snippets that I would love My Hands and YEDL. It was kinda like David going “pssssst…I’ve got a little somethin somethin for ya” in my ear and winking. 😉
I knew from this album that it was going to be absolutely beautiful and it is. Snippets didn’t steal any of that joy for me. But that’s just me. Call me greedy where his voice is concerned. I ain’t turning nothin down.
TOfan, I noticed that lyric change to from presents ON the tree to presents NEATH the tree. It brought the tune up to date. In the old days, presents were actually tied to the branches of the tree.
I finally finished my movie of Pat-A-Pan. Goodnight.
Or I should say, good morning. lol.
Awestruck – Great article. I could feel the peace and the beauty!
Angelica – Your video is beautiful. You feel that song on so many levels. Thank you!
TOfan – that Snowangelz pic at the top of the article – TDF!!!
Have you seen this picture?
———> http://bit.ly/47ZIwL
Or this one?
———> http://bit.ly/3BDfB3
Fan pix on Amazon
Angelica, That is enchanting! 0:50 FTW! Thank you!
Angelica – thank you
I love the images you used and how you sequenced them in your P-A-P vid. I adore the layering of David’s lower register vocals at the end.
(Kizzi)
Angelica, you have outdone yourself! Wowza!
Too beautiful a video to bury in the comments so it’s now posted up above!
Love, love, LOVE it!!!
Good Afternoon to Everyone!!!! Yesterday was quite busy as I had a lot of company both of the human and 4 legged variety! HA! So catching up from the last thread:
Betsy: Thank You!
Kizzi: Yes you did meet some of the David group in Pittsburgh!
and
“We have an App for that!” Oh no Apple you are lying! You do not have an ArchuApp…but you darn well should. Hmmm…ladies this app would sell like hotcakes…in the millions even! If done right it could fund our concert visits for at least a month or two….
Awestruck…well I don’t know how else to put it but I am awestruck at your diary entry. TOfan got it right…I felt like I was right there with you.
Yup…had Christmas tunes blasting as I got dressed this morning. What a great way to start the day and every listen provides another revelation that I hadn’t noticed before.
Angelica…absolutely beautiful. Have you always been gifted at creating videos or is this a newly David Inspired talent?
Betsy! “I don’t care for the green print over red background on seventh page if the cd cover/insert thingie!”
Sorry, Betsy but I am going to have to disagree with you…It is not the green print it is the size of the font…sorry(*kind of said in that annoying Simon way*)…
I have told you all how much I like this site? Nice vibe in here!
Dang you, Angelica! I haven’t been able to get those blasted Pat-A-Pan fifes and drums out of my head all day!
It’s driving me tu-re-lu-re-lu-lu!! 😆
I need a Riu Riu Chiu antidote, stat!
(Where’d you find the whirling dirvish dame in your vid, btw?)
Thanks so much everyone, for the much appreciated words of encouragement. The labor is its own reward, but it’s really great to know that others get some pleasure from my movies too.
KT – Making videos is definitely a newly inspired David talent. Before David came along, all I knew about a computer was how to place an order to Amazon or Barnes & Noble and get off as fast as I could. I made my first video in June 2009, with “Ain’t No Other Man.”
TOfan – The “whirling dervish dame” in my vid is from one of the first moving pictures ever recorded…1894! Her name is Annabelle and the films were produced by the Thomas Edison Company.
Thanks for the info, Angelica. Did you do the colourizing effects? Quite hypnotizing and mesmerizing! You def. have the gift. (And I’m not just buttering you up so you’ll do one for RRC … okay, so maybe I am 😉 )
And, folks, just got home & found my Demi Lovato fan club poster etc. waiting for me at the front door.
After I stopped laughing hysterically, I decided I’d keep it, after all. As a historical artifact.
I think it’ll make a fine donation to the Smithsonian Exhibit that’s bound to open circa 2019 … the one called “The Things They Did for David Archuleta.”
Late-breaking Christmas tour news, Benton Paul will be the opener for the whole tour.
This is great news, I saw Benton open for David at the final SLC solo tour show and loved his sound, esp. this song en français:
Awestruck….loved reading your diary entry, from a like minded archuholic, you rock. WCIT> my right now fave, is just so perfect the way David sings it. I am seriously praying that he does it on the Christmas tour. Hearing Pat apan live would also kill me , Angelica your vid is brilliant. Your gift for connecting the visuals and the emotion with David’s voice is just wonderful. The fact that the dancer is from a clip from 1894 just adds even more depth. Just WOW.
TOfan saving your Demi stash for the Smithsonian? great idea. I am opting for gifting to my great niece, lol
IT’s great to be back on-line after some internet probs…
TOfan et al,
Embrace your inner Demi Lovato fan girl. 😉
Riu Riu Chiu eh?
Angelica, LOL. I’m more likely to have an inner Demi Moore fan girl.
Love that we Canadians have already got you speaking our language, eh! 😆
(KT) I agree with “every listen provides another revelation that I hadn’t noticed before.” So many layers in the songs.
Hey refnaf – glad you got your computer problems sorted out! I’m wondering how the concert will go… maybe two parts, the first jeans/t-shirt/scarf for the favorite songs and the second ‘church’slacks/dress shirt/vest for the Christmas songs/carols?
Just wanted to wish all the Snow Angelz sweet dreams and to tell Angelica how much I enjoyed her new video. It’s lovely!
Looking forward to our plane & road trip, TOfan & refnaf! Can you believe it! 😆
Oh, and reservations are made for Cleveland, CT & NY!! WTH am I thinking? But I’ve never been to NY and what better time than Christmas time??
Good Night!
Well, I guess I am now officially a fan of Twitter. 😉
David’s tweet:
http://bit.ly/2xz96j
His reply to mine:
http://bit.ly/370Ki8
I think I need to lie down now.
SF!! ArchuRoad-Trips FTW!!!
lol, TOfan . I agree with David, you are sooo clever(((hug))))
awestruck … as for David tour clothes, I’m all about the scarves and t’s, and yes to a costume change….more formal for WCIS and Ave Maria…. oh my , thinking about him doing these songs live, and then the youtubes and cellcasts… gah!
SF I CAN NOT wait….
SF {{{{waves}}}} AC is coming up too – my fingers are crossed that I get there. I’m going to CT too so I will definitely see you there. NYC in December is a wonderful time to visit. Get tix to Radio City Music Hall if you have an extra day for their Christmas Show.
TOfan/SnowAngelzz – you have been Archu_Tweeted!!!! Thud_A_Licious. Archu_Nirvanna!!!
So, David was a Rockin’ Robin last night…looked like he was having a blast with his fans…made me smile BIG to see all that GOOD fun!
So in honor of SnowAngelzz’s first Archu_Tweet, I dedicate this song (plagiarized of course 🙂 ):
♫David rocks in the tree tops all day long
Hoppin’ and a-boppin’ and singing his song
All the little birdies on Archie Street
Love to hear David go tweet tweet tweet
Rockin’ David, tweet tweet tweet
Rockin’ David’ tweet tweetly-tweet
Tweet rockin’ David
‘Cause we’re really havin’ fun tonight ♪ ♫
I ♥ SnowAngelz
Doing a lot of purging of closets yesterday and had my dpod on , playing straight through on album mode, with CFTH, being first. (naturally)Went through some Evanesence, David Gray, and then David’s first album. I was pleasantly shocked at how much a still love it! I have been only listening to CELD and live tour stuff for so long, hearing You Can minus the screaming, and My hands, And SOT, wow.
Tweet, Tweet Kizzi!
TOfan – “I think I need to lie down now.” Have you recovered yet? Twitter FTW. You ARE a clever chick – I won’t turn you in Kizzi… LOL
SF and all road trip buddies – don’t forget to keep us posted.
{{{kizzi}}} you songwriter, you!
awestruck, will def. keep you posted, and can’t wait for your first-hand report!!
Maybe I’m still giddy after that tweetmosh last night, but this article cracked me up.
Who knew David sported a faux hawk? 😆
http://coolmenshair.com/2009/10/david-archuleta-short-hairstyles.html
Angelica: “Making videos is definitely a newly inspired David talent. Before David came along, all I knew about a computer was how to place an order to Amazon or Barnes & Noble and get off as fast as I could”
Even all the more amazing. I will start calling you Angelica Speilberg
TOfan: I loved seeing your tweet singled out as “clever”. We know David never lies and he nailed this one right on the head…because you are very clever!
Kizzi: Great way to start the morning…no doubt that song will be in my head the rest of the day! Hope to see you in AC!
One thing I really enjoy is all the creativity, effort and talent that this fan base offers in honor of David and for the benefit and enjoyment of each other. It REALLY enhances the journey.
Paging Angelica, Tofan, SF, refnaf (and anyone else that may be coming): Cleveland VIP on sale at 11:00Am this morning!
Thanks, yjfanofdavid! Got in under the wire …
… our office building decided to have a surprise fire drill at 10:40! The panicked look on my face probably made some people think there was a real fire. LOL
KT,
“One thing I really enjoy is all the creativity, effort and talent that this fan base offers in honor of David and for the benefit and enjoyment of each other. It REALLY enhances the journey” … so true! Wait, does that mean you’re going to AC too?
On Sale Today:
Cleveland, OH. 11 am ET [sold out!]
Waukegan, IL. 12 pm CT.
Kansas City, MO. 1 pm CT.
St. Paul, MN. 1 pm CT.
Westbury, NY. 2 pm ET.
Mashantucket, CT. 3 pm ET.
Baltimore, MD. 3 pm ET.
Boston, MA. 4 pm ET.
TOfan, O’Great Tweeted One:
My thought for the day:
“Good things come to those who wait.”
Tofan: Fire drill minutes before the VIP went on sale? lol. It reminds of me of the video games where they keep throwing stuff at you when you try to reach your destination. Glad you got it!
Sis was not able to get in to get our VIP’s for Cleveland. I could just cry!
So I came home to wait for NY VIPS to go on sale. I’m sitting here just staring at the ILAA VIP screen! No way will I NOT get in for NY..which BTW will most likely sell out quickly as well. It’s the Finale!
See you later!
Got my VIPs for NY!!
Gotta get back to work now!!
SF,
glad you had success with NY VIPs! … re Cleveland, because they sold out so fast, they may add on a “VIP upgrade” option at some point (like they did for the Demi tour stops) … just make sure you get tix to the show!
{{{Kizzi}}} love your thought for the day! … doing any more songwriting? 😆
Angelica,
Forwarded your video to a David friend and this was her response: “WWWWOWWW! Angelica is StrangerPhilosophy? She is so talented.”
Awestruck,
I was in a clothing store at lunch hour and what came over the sound system, but Crush … and the very cool 20something sales clerk started singing along (she even knew all the harmony parts!) … these lines from your post came to mind:
“I feel a joyous peacefulness settle over me and can’t help but grin. What a glorious feeling it is to be alive at this very moment in time.”
It is indeed. These moments may be fleeting but they are very precious, and that they can be found through David’s music is such a gift, a godsend. … I will shop there again. 🙂
TOfan: I will be in AC!!! Will you be there?
SF: See you at VIP NY!
Got 3rd row center, Ann Arbor!!! And a little insider info:
David’s band will not be in Ann Arbor. It’s only the symphony or David himself accompanying him. Wow!
and
According to symphony office, Kurt Bestor is sending arrangements of David’s pop songs to symphony for them to play with him.
Okay, I need to go curl up in a corner and wait for 11/27. If I can live through this wait, I can live
through anything.
TOfan – I find those ‘moments in time’ become memorable memories!
KT – sorry for being dense, but what’s AC?
Betsy – that will be one way cool concert!
Cleveland!! FTW Yay TOfan
Betsy, Ann Arbour show will be awesomage.
Awestruck, AC is Atlantic City, David’s last summer re-do concert.
SF, aaww about Cleveland, glad you got NY, that will be a great show too, and so close to christmas… nice.
duh
awestruck: not to worry we actually need an Archu-acronymary
Awestruck, LOL.
KT, yes!!
Betsy, just David and the symphony? oh my.
This is my favourite interview to date:
http://bit.ly/koAqE
Love this bit:
“I don’t like to pretend with myself. I like to be real. I like to be firm with myself and honest with myself. Like, ‘David, you’re kind of weird sometimes, you’re kind of clumsy sometimes, but you keep going forward.’ Those kinds of things.
“I’m not really talking myself down or saying I’m a nobody, I’m a loser. But I’m saying I’m kind of weird, I guess, I’m still going to keep working hard in this life. I’m still trying to do my best, and I’m happy with that. Even though it gets hard sometimes. It gets frustrating. Everybody gets frustrated in life, but there’s still a lot of good to be looking at.”
… omigosh, put me in a rocketship and fly me to Planet David
Oh, and this part:
“I want my music to make people feel good. I want people to be able to connect with me and my music. You know, it’s just figuring out how to do that the best way — because I’m not good with words, but I think I’m learning to do that more and more, as I get more involved with writing.”
And this too, lol:
David compares the songwriting sessions to the P90X workout regimen he recently began.
“I feel like I’m exercising my mind every day while I’m here,” he says. “I’m not this ripped person. I’m not this songwriter bodybuilder with my brain. But I’m getting there. I’m getting it worked, and I’m starting to get my mind going. It’s really neat to be able to do that.”
… I just want to tell him I’ll take his honest and true “not good with words” words over artfully arranged fluff any day of the week.
David being David…. Honest, open , mature, real. He needs no fluff, does he? Great interview.
“I want my music to make people feel good. I want people to be able to connect with me and my music. You know, it’s just figuring out how to do that the best way”. He is already doing this so well, the connection is powerful.
TOfan – I thought Brian Mansfield (Idol Chatter) did a great job with the bits of interview you posted (he’s the guy that interviewed david at the family and friends get together dance I think in SLC? sheesh I’ll have to look it up. At any rate it was also a very good interview.
Sounds like he is trying to keep things in perspective, but is still hard on himself IMO
Yes refnaf David’s connection is powerful and will only get stronger as time goes on as his comfort level increases with performing. At one point in the interview he stated that there is more of him in the songs he has just written – holey moley can I take any more? His WFM, DLG… slay me. It will be just too much, just too much.
You know what?
When I read all of your experiences with getting VIP’s and going to concerts…I get a little sad:(:(
Why oh why do I not have a passport? or a hubby who even remotely supports my obsession?
When I read through everyone’s feelings upon listening to CFTH and I experience them for myself…maybe it is a good thing that I am
grounded. Who knows if I could take the awesomage of hearing and seeing David in the flesh. Maybe it’s better that he is somewhere out there to me and not real!
LOVE all your reactions to CFTH!!! I have now listened, uninterrupted, up to Ave Maria…and I am in AWE!!! Tomorrow child number 3 has a dental appointment so can’t wait to lock myself in my vehicle and crank up the music!!! Would love to meet you fellow Snowangelz…but driving whilst listening to CFTH is hazardous and I hope I survive the holiday season!! Heck…who am I kidding…I will be listening to these tunes around the calendar.
New post!
(((just marly))) – let the sadness pass, it will happen for you when the time is right.